“Quarantine Kit” features interviews with our favorite actors, musicians, chefs, athletes, and artists about their personal methods for killing time, staying fit, and keeping social distance during isolation.

I’ve been jamming out to Bearcubs on a near-daily basis since we went into lockdown. I’ve yet to find another artist that perfectly captures the isolation we’ve all been experiencing as Bearcubs’ Jack Ritchie somehow does. Songs like “Screen Time” and “Every Place Is Life” from the recently released Early Hours have become headphone anthems on my daily walks and weekly grocery runs, and the lush sound beds and skittering beats have actually made the social isolation experience oddly danceable.

Just before Bearcubs dropped the highly anticipated Early Hours, we linked up with the Berlin via London based electronic artist and producer behind the moniker, Jack Ritchie, to talk about how he’s riding out quarantine, and finding inspiration in isolation.

STAYING ENTERTAINED: TV and Worms

I have still been watching a couple of TV series including ‘Better Saul Call‘ and, for some reason, ‘The Roman Empire’, which is surprisingly good. I’ve also been playing this game called ‘Worms‘ online with some friends from home, it’s a ridiculous game but I used to play it when I was growing up so it’s quite nostalgic for me.

STAYING SANE: Reducing screen time

I’ve been using the lockdown as a reason to do more reading and to be on my phone less. I realized that I was getting way too much screen time because I was working on my laptop all day and then looking at my phone in the evening or watching a film. So now I don’t check my phone in the mornings until I’ve been up for a while and had breakfast and done a bit of meditation.

STAYING MOTIVATED: Developing a routine

I try to keep a consistent daily routine and to be honest, not much has changed for me because I’m used to working on music all day from home anyway. My album is finished and came out on May 15th, but I’m still working on new music and other projects so I’m keeping quite busy.

Also, luckily, it’s not too far to get into the countryside from where I live in Berlin, so I’ve been going on bike rides into nature on my nice old Bianchi road bike, which definitely makes a big difference to my mindset and stops me from getting too much cabin fever!

GO TO QUARANTINE MEAL: Pickled Chilies

I think I’ve done more cooking than ever in the past few weeks. The highlights so far have been a homemade veggie lasagne, battered fish and chips, and I also made some cookies with almonds, white chocolate, and fig the other day which were very nice. Another thing I’ve been doing food-wise is pickling my own chilies. My next plan is to make my own hot sauce. It’s made me realize that there’s a lot of stuff you don’t really need to buy from the supermarket.

When I get older I’m going to turn into some sort of mad hippie surrounded by a vegetable garden and various homemade condiments and pickles.

STAYING HEALTHY: Finding balance

I think it’s just about balance. I don’t really believe in all these fad diets going around, just eat a wide range of foods and you’ll be okay. You should trust what your body wants instead of being too restrictive because then you’re just setting yourself up to fail. Although, don’t trust your body if it’s requesting 5 Big Macs a day! I’m not big on going to the gym because I’m lazy and, for me, exercise has to have a fun component. So I try and sneak it in by playing games like squash, table tennis, or football — also cycling as I mentioned before because it feels more like exploring than exercise.

STAYING IN SHAPE: Use your feet and stay hydrated

Walk and cycle everywhere! It saves the planet and you get fit at the same time, two good things at once. Also, drink a lot of water.

STAYING CREATIVE: Keeping an open ear

What fuels me as an artist right now is mainly looking at previous music I’ve released and just trying to step up everything I’m doing in terms of production and songwriting. It feels like a long journey from when I started and I’ve learned a lot about myself and about trying to keep things simple and direct so that the message gets across clearer, instead of trying to be clever all the time. It will always be a work in progress though.

Another thing that inspires me is hearing the high-quality music everyone is putting out right now. There’s a lot of talent and people creating interesting things in the world, and you kind of soak it all up now that we are receiving a constant stream of new things through our electronic devices on a daily basis.

Check out Bearcubs latest album Early Hours here.

The average bottle of whiskey is around 40 proof. That’s 80 percent alcohol for those new to this game. But with the proliferation of whiskey, it’s not hard to find bottles that push those boundaries higher and higher with high proof whiskey (often referred to as “barrel proof” or “cask proof” on the label).

Whiskey is usually lowered to 80 proof (40 percent ABV) by adding water to “cut” the whiskey down to proof. It’s become more and more common for distillers to offer high-proof expressions as a mainstay of their lines these days, especially with the single barrel programs out there. In fact, if you spend some time perusing the whiskey aisle, you’ll find a wide selection of high proof whiskeys from some of the most recognizable names in the whiskey game.

“High Proof is a tough category,” says Jim Richard, chef at Red Fish Taco in South Walton, Florida. He continues, ” There are just so many well-made options.” So, where do you start? We’ve got your back.

From Weller to Noah’s Mill to Booker’s, the category is loaded with nuanced, smooth, crowd-pleasers. To find the right bottle for you, we decided to ask the experts for their advice. That’s why we asked some well-known bartenders to tell us their favorite high-proof whiskeys.

Weller Full Proof Bourbon

Pete Stanton, head bartender at Ai Fiori at The Langham in New York City

My favorite high proof whiskey is the Weller Full Proof. It’s so bright and fruity with a little oily texture. It’s probably the easiest drinking “high proof” whiskey. I also love Russell’s Reserve Bourbon and Rye for an inexpensive everyday barrel strength whiskey that isn’t impossible to find. An honorable mention has to go to Elijah Craig barrel proof.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon

Jim Richard, chef at Red Fish Taco in South Walton, Florida

I enjoy Woodford. The “Double Oaked” sips well from the bottle around an open bonfire on the beach or at the hunting camp. On the other hand, I find The WhistlePig in an LED rocks glass with one large ice cube brings out subtle nuances that lend well to social occasions.

J. P. Wiser’s 23-Year-Old Cask Strength Whisky

Gord Hannah, head bartender at The Drake Hotel in Toronto

The J.P Wiser’s 23-year-old Cask Strength Blend from their rare cask series comes in at a whopping 63.4 percent ABV. It’s part of Corby’s latest Northern Border collection and I fell in love with it almost instantly. Cask Strength whiskies amplify every ingredient that goes into making a spirit. Any mistake or imperfection is immediately recognizable to even an untrained palate. The 23-year-old is a masterclass in Canadian farming, distilling, aging, and blending. The high ABV is a power play. It’s as close as you will ever get to a Canadian showing off.

Old Line Cask Strength Whiskey

Ian Clark, bar supervisor at Topside in Baltimore

Old Line Spirits’ American Single Malt Whiskey Cask Strength from Baltimore is my current favorite high-proof whiskey. This whiskey is dense. The brown sugary nature of the malt they use for this whiskey is an excellent complement to the heat from the high proof of this whiskey. Served on a big ice cube or with a splash of water really brings out the complexity and boldness of this whiskey.

Noah’s Mill Bourbon

Tim Wiggins, co-owner and beverage director at The Lazy Tiger Cocktail Bar in St. Louis

I fell in love with Noah’s Mill while working with my wife at a whiskey bar so it will always have a special place in my heart. I love lots of overproof bourbons but none of them are as nostalgic for me as Noah’s Mill.

Booker’s Bourbon

Brandi Carter, beverage manager at Elvie’s in Jackson, Mississippi

Booker’s True Barrel Bourbon is a great high-proof whiskey because you get all of the burn on the nose but it is very smooth on the palate. It’s pretty much the main bourbon think of when I’m looking for high proof whiskeys.

Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon

Brooke Baker, general manager at Underdog in New York City

For high proof, I love Old Forester 100 Proof. It’s my go-to for standard old fashioneds and pretty much any other whiskey-based drink. It has enough spice and oakiness to punch through any staple whiskey drink.

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Bourbon

Catalina Borer, bartender at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel high-proof, without hesitation. Picture this, sitting on a rocking-chair, in a peach orchard in Kentucky while enjoying a good ol’ lit American tobacco and sipping honey citrus tea but with a massive kick at over 120 proof. That’s what it tastes like.

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Rye

Westin Galleymore, spirits director at Underbelly Hospitality in Houston

There have been many high-proof whiskeys that could easily make a run for my favorite high-proof whiskey., But as for something recent that one could possibly find without sacrificing their firstborn, it would have to be Willett Family Estate 4 Year Rye. Now, some of the barrel picks really show the absolute infinite badassery that Drew Kulsveen and Willett is capable of. The standard release of the 4 Year Family Reserve Rye is pretty impressive, along with everything else.

Akashi 5-Year Sherry Cask Whisky

Kira Webster, beverage director at Indo in St. Louis

Akashi 5 year Sherry Cask. I’m allergic to alcohol, so my body can’t process it correctly. However, with most rice-based liquor, I don’t tend to flush. Akashi is a rice-based whisky ending with delicious nutty, fruity notes, and doesn’t even taste like it’s 100 proof. So, even if I drink a few glasses of it (which I normally do), I don’t break out.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon

Piero Procida, bartender at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It’s 120 proof and aged for 9 years in new, charred American oak barrels. It’s a wonderful Whiskey that maintains its character despite higher alcohol content which in itself could have been overpowering. Its age certainly adds more character.

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection Bourbon

H. Joseph Ehrmann, proprietor of ELIXIR in San Francisco

Single barrel Four Roses private selections are some of the best bourbons available today. We’ve about sold out of all of ours, but I’m looking to get more and even buy some from other bars and spirit shops that need help liquidating their purchase commitments on those. Usually clocking in around 60 percent across 10 different recipes, you just can’t go wrong. An OBSV (mash bill) is what the standard Four Roses Single Barrel product is (at 50 percent) so to find that at 60 percent it’s amazing. As is the OBSK (my favorite), but every barrel is different.

Stagg Jr. Bourbon

Hayden Miller, head bartender at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Miami

This bourbon is all business. You can either take the enamel off your teeth or tone it down with some cubes. But, either way, the 130+ proof is sure to get the job done. This bourbon has a lot of heat straight from the bottle but when you add some water to the equation, the flavors really pull through. It also makes a mean one-and-done old fashioned.

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“Oh, hello there” —my eyes.

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“Roman numerals. Looks better tbh.”

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“Currently leaking John’s album on my stories. Out June 19th. Or free when I get mad enough.”

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Here are your quick and dirty, editorial-free WWE Raw results for May 25, 2020. This week’s episode featured a Women’s Championship number one contender triple threat match, a United States Championship match, the hilarious world of golf, and more. Make sure you’re here tomorrow for the complete Best and Worst of Raw column.

WWE Raw Results:

– Raw has NXT and Performance Center wrestlers as the crowd, standing six-feet apart, and separated from the ringside area with plexiglass.

– The show opened with Kevin Owens interviewing Asuka on The KO Show, formerly known as the Kevin Owens Show. They were interrupted by Charlotte Flair, who the Raw Women’s Championship should’ve been handed to her because Asuka’s never beaten her. They were interrupted by Natalya, and then Nia Jax. Asuka fought Jax, and Flair fought Natalya.

1. United States Championship Match: Apollo Crews defeated Andrade (c). WWE cut away from the match in the middle for an Angel Garza interview. Crews won with a standing shooting star press, winning his first championship in WWE. After the match, Crews was interviewed, and Andrade used one of the clangy poles to aimlessly attack the backstage area.

– Seth Rollins cut a promo on a Rey Mysterio mask. Mysterio will have a “retirement ceremony” on next week’s Raw.

– The IIconics apologized to each other. They were interrupted by Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, and Cross argued with the IIconics about friendship. Peyton and Billie attacked them and posed with the Women’s Tag Team Championship belts.

– Drew McIntyre was a guest on MVP’s VIP Lounge. MVP said that when offered to manage McIntyre and McIntyre Claymored him, he decided he would end McIntyre’s (then upcoming) championship run. Lashley was brought out, and McIntyre Claymored MVP again.

2. Angel Garza defeated Kevin Owens. Garza attacked Owens during Owens’ ring entrance, and hit the Wing Clipper to win the match and score the upset.

– The Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders feud continued with the teams playing golf.

– Lana and MVP continued to argue about Lashley.

3. Murphy and Austin Theory defeated Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo. Theory pinned Carrillo after an ATL. After the match, Rollins threatened to put Carrillo’s eye out like he did Mysterio’s if Black didn’t stand down. Black vs. Rollins will happen on next week’s episode.

– Edge talked about his upcoming Backlash match against Randy Orton, which will be The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever.

– MVP confronted the Street Profits about being clowns. They made fun of him for getting kicked in the face by Drew McIntyre. This set up the Profits vs. MVP and Lashley for the main event.

4. Raw Women’s Championship Number One Contender Triple Threat: Nia Jax defeated Natalya and NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair with a Samoan Drop on Natalya.

– R-Truth and Rob Gronkowski cut promos on each other by video, which included Gronk calling Truth “R-Lies.”

– Ric Flair believes that Randy Orton will defeated Edge in The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever.

– Liv Morgan still doesn’t know who she is.

5. Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeated MVP and Bobby Lashley when Lashley refused to release a full nelson and got his team disqualified. After the match, Lashley and Drew McIntyre brawled.